The vaccination against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) of employees of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) who are senior citizens and those with comorbidity started this Wednesday.
Employees were first screened to check their health history.
If the blood pressure is higher than 120 over 80 or there are symptoms of COVID-19, it goes through the assessment first.
“Kung may lagnat, kung may ubo sa ngayon, kung mayroong pananakit ng katawan, merong sipon, sore throat, lbm, yung mga sintomas ng COVID chine-check namin. Dapat wala yun,” said Loida Alzona, MMDA Public Safety And Environmental Protection Office Director.
“Kung may exposure sa isang COVID positive with in the last 2 weeks, we opted not to vaccinate. And tinatanong namin kung meron siyang swab – at least a week before, may negative swab test, yun ang aming tatanggapin for vaccination,” she added.
Doctors also reminded employees to make sure the information entered on the form is correct and true, especially if it is about health.
”Kapag naglihim ka, later on, magkaroon ng adverse reaction, hindi namin mamo-monitor properly. Baka pala hindi naman related sa bakuna, baka related sa existing health condition niya,” said MMDA Medical Officer 3 Dra. Annabelle Ombina.
Vaccination of seniors, with comorbidity in MMDA begins
MMDA chairman Benhur Abalos urged all employees to get vaccinated.
“Nagkakaagawan sa buong mundo ng bakuna. Please lang po, magpabakuna tayo agad. Importante sa lahat mapabakunahan dahil maski papano, hindi lang ang empleyado may proteksyon kundi ang kasama n’ya sa opisina at lalong lalo na ang kanyang pamilya,” said Abalos, who has been vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine.
Employees were also reminded to still follow the health protocol even after being vaccinated.
According to MMDA records, 771 of their 8,000 employees were affected by COVID-19. In total, 100 active cases are now isolated, while 8 have already died.
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved the use of the Sinovac vaccine from China in seniors.
This is amid the experienced shortage of vaccines in the Philippines against COVID-19.
According to FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, the office is considering the decision on the increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country and the limited vaccine.